Hazeldean Merinos
Hazeldean Merinos has grown from its establishment in 1865 by James Litchfieldto be one of he largest, most progressive and influential flocks in Australia. Around 4,000 stud ewes are mated each year with a total flock size of over 30,000 sheep. Within this total there is an elite flock of 1000 ewes (3 to 6 years) with a fibre diameter range of 17.5 to 19.5 microns. Hazeldean Merinos have one of the largest individual gene pools in Australia which makes intense selection pressure possible in the breeding programme.

Hazeldean rams provide to woolgrowers advantages over other ram sources as they produce sheep with higher fleece value. This is due to their ability to deliver low fibre diameter to their progeny without the usual sacrifice in fleeceweight.

For over 50 years selection has been based on measured fleece value gathered from each ram and ewe produced. This is the same information that establishes the price woolgrowers get paid when they sell their wool and is heritable and repeatable.

Hazeldean has set about to determine as accurately as possible its relative position, in terms of economic value to the entire stud Merino industry.

Hazeldean has breeding bases at Hazeldean Cooma and also at the company’s Riverina property "Rosevale" near Hay in Western NSW.

The Future
Hazeldean believes growth in the market for wool will continue to occur in the finer end however recognizes the occasional effect of supply imbalance and the resulting market distortion when this occurs. The retention of fleeceweight, therefore, is an important safeguard against fluctuating micron premiums resulting from changes in supply and is vital in reducing costs of production. Although Hazeldean has always been noted for large, quick maturing merinos, additional emphasis is now placed on fertility traits such as scrotal size as well as carcase value and growth rates.

Breeding Objective
Hazeldean Merinos breeding objective is to improve fibre performance, while reducing fibre diameter and at the same time increasing fleece weights. It has been doing this by using a 12% micron premium index. However in 2008, the index was revised to a micron premium of 7% + Staple Strength. This index places less emphasis on micron reduction and more on fleeceweight, staple strength and body weight. Given the large reduction in fibre diameter achieved by the stud over 20 years the index was fine tuned to place additional emphasis on other traits the stud wishes to improve. Hazeldean also selects for fertility, worm resistance, growth rate and carcase value. The gains made by the Hazeldean program are quantifiable, permanent and compound over time.

Our focus is on increasing the potential of Hazeldean Merinos to generate more money for our clients. We are achieving this goal - Hazeldean Merinos are proven to be clear leaders in dollar terms in on-farm bloodline comparison trials.

Every year Hazeldean undertakes a large AI program with it's best and most proven progeny tested sires thereby producing large lines of high performing rams sired by the most profitable rams in the industry.

Hazeldean's business also includes commercial flocks and herds however its main interest is the production of superior seedstock. In both cattle and sheep it ranks among the country's largest suppliers and when viewed as a whole, has a major influence on the genetic makeup and progress of Australia's extensive livestock industries.

Hazeldean Merinos are accredited free of Brucellosis and monitored negative stage 3 (MN3) for Ovine Johnes disease.

Sale Rams
Hazeldean rams are priced and graded on their ability to generate money. Fleece weight, fibre diameter and body weight are accurately measured and used to establish the amount of genetic benefit our rams will bring to their progeny. All are highly heritable traits and provide the best basis on which to establish sale price. The very highest value rams are auctioned, the rams with the next highest value are placed in our top private selection grade and so on.

Guarantee
Hazeldean guarantees and stands by every ram it sells. All rams are sold with a 1 year guarantee of refund or replacement if rams fail to meet the expectations of the buyer.